Miro passed through an inner circle of templars. They stood guard around the hill, where Miro could now see a thin man in white — Primate Melovar Aspen — standing beside the Emperor. Moragon also stood with the Primate. The melding’s eyes gleamed as he watched Miro approach.
Miro fought to keep his breath steady and even. He was coming face-to-face with Melovar Aspen. This was the man he’d had nightmares about his whole life. Miro would also be mere paces from Moragon, the Emperor’s executioner, the man who had killed his father.
"You come alone, Lord Marshal, how brave," said the Primate.
Miro stared into the man’s yellow eyes. More than at any other time in his life, Miro wished he had his zenblade with him. He would gladly have given his life for a chance at destroying this man.
"I’ve come to discuss our terms of surrender," Miro said stiffly. The words caught in his throat, he couldn’t believe he was speaking them. He spat them out as if choking.
He glanced at the Emperor. Drool ran from the man’s chin. There would be no help here.
"You and I have met before, Miro. Do you know where?"
Miro wasn’t sure if he wanted to know. "No."
"You were only a small child. Much as you are now," the Primate smiled. "I needed your mother to spy for me, but she wouldn’t cooperate. A knife at your throat soon changed her mind. She married Tessolar and did what I asked. You see, none of this would have been possible without her. She gave me the information I needed — it was in the Alturan Lexicon. Your mother was the ultimate betrayer, Miro."
The pieces finally fit together for Miro. He understood it now — why his mother had married Tessolar. Even Tessolar himself hadn’t known. This man was the reason he had grown up without a father. He was the reason Katherine had been forced to pretend to love her husband’s betrayer, to stay away from her children, even though they must have constantly been on her mind.
Primate Melovar Aspen smiled when he saw the look in Miro’s eyes. "You understand, don’t you, Miro? I have you to thank for all this. In a way, the destruction of your house will be entirely your fault."
Miro’s eyes burned. He forced himself to speak, "I am here to discuss terms of surrender."
"Ah yes, terms. This should be fun. First…"
Miro didn’t hear the Primate’s next words. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a line of silver appear on his armoursilk. Another line appeared. One symbol after another came to life. How could it be possible?
The only explanation was that someone had renewed the Alturan Lexicon.
Moragon was looking at the Primate. Neither had noticed the return of the runes. Miro fought not to look and draw attention to them.
"And finally, Miro, I want you personally. This is non-negotiable. You could be very useful to me if Tessolar gives us trouble. It doesn’t matter how much willpower you think you have, Miro. I can still turn you. In fact, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see you lead your people, under my control. You can be my puppet, Miro." The Primate gestured towards the Emperor. "Just think of the illustrious figures you’ll be joining."
Miro looked up at the Primate.
The man started at the menace in Miro’s gaze.
"I take back my offer of surrender, Primate. I hope you’ve enjoyed your moment. The next time we speak it will be at your defeat."
The Primate laughed and signalled. Some templars came forward. "Take this man somewhere out of the way and give him the elixir. Force it down his throat if you have to."
Miro allowed himself to be led away. Even with his armoursilk functional, he had no chance of killing the Primate, or even escaping alive. He needed to wait until there were fewer of the enemy to guard him.
He had to make it back to his men.
Somehow, they had been given a chance.
The Alturan Lexicon had been renewed.
~
MIRO stumbled but righted himself. Blood matted his hair and his knuckles were scratched and raw. Without the armoursilk he would never have escaped. Still, it had been close. He had bested seven templars with his bare hands.
"Marshall! You made it." Marshal Beorn embarrassed Miro by giving him a rough hug.
"It’s a miracle," said Lord Rorelan, gesturing at Miro’s armoursilk, which glowed fiercely with power.
Miro smiled wearily. "The runes…?" He held his breath.
"All of the enchantments are functional."
Miro began to feel hope again. "Spread the word…"
"Already done," said Marshal Beorn.
"All we can do now is wait. They’ll attack at any moment."
They all sobered. Miro looked over at the rafts ferrying the refugees across the Sarsen.
Every time he saw another group of refugees unload at the Alturan side, he thanked the Lord of the Sky.
At midmorning, the Black Army attacked.
~
FORTY imperial avengers led the way. Behind them, a horde of legionnaires formed the front of a relentless tide of screaming men.